Modern Honor smartphones running on the Android operating system offer users several interface control options. One of the most popular requests among owners is the desire to free up useful screen space. The standard navigation bar located at the bottom of the display takes up valuable real estate that could be used to display content in apps or games. There are several ways to remove the bottom buttons on Android Honor, and each of them has its own characteristics depending on the version of Magic UI or EMUI.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of switching to gesture control, and also consider the nuances of hiding the virtual keyboard, which is often confused with system buttons. You'll learn how to activate the "curtain" or hidden navigation mode, which turns the bottom of the screen into an invisible control zone. This not only aesthetically improves the appearance of the interface, but also makes using the device with one hand much more comfortable.
Before making changes, it is worth noting that the setup process takes only a couple of minutes and does not require obtaining superuser rights (root). System settings allows you to flexibly control the behavior of the interface, adjusting it to the user’s personal preferences. We will look at both standard tools and additional features available in the Magic UI shell.
Switching to gesture control in system settings
The most reliable and correct way to get rid of the three familiar buttons ("Back", "Home", "Menu") is to switch to the navigation system gestures. This method is native to Android 10 and newer versions installed on current Honor models. First, you need to open the main settings menu of your device. Find a section that may be called "System and updates" or simply "System", depending on the firmware version.
Inside this section you should look for the item "System Navigation". This is where you switch between classic button mode and modern swipe controls. Honor provides two gesture navigation options: standard Android gestures and proprietary gestures similar to those used in iOS. Select the appropriate option, and the bottom panel of buttons will disappear, giving way to a thin indicator strip or disappearing completely.
⚠️ Attention: After switching to gestures, it will take some time (usually 15 minutes to an hour) for the memory muscles to adapt to the new movements. Do not rush to return the buttons if at first you find it uncomfortable.
It is important to understand the difference between the modes. In the "Gestures" mode, you can return by swiping from the edge of the screen, and exiting to the desktop is by swiping from the bottom up. This frees up the entire lower area of the display, which is especially critical for owners of smartphones with elongated screens. Navigation panel in the classic form remains a relic of the past, although some users still prefer it out of habit.
If you can't find navigation settings through search, try using the search bar at the very top of the settings menu. Enter the word “navigation” or “gestures”, and the system itself will suggest the desired menu item. This is a universal method for all models, including Honor 9X, Honor 10 Lite, Honor 20 and newer series. Complete disappearance of buttons is possible only when activating gesture mode or hidden navigation.
Activating hidden navigation mode (Swipe panel)
Not all users know that in There is a function in the Magic UI shell that allows you to completely remove even the indicator bar at the bottom of the screen, making the navigation completely invisible until the moment you touch it. This mode is often called "Hidden Navigation" or "Navigation Curtain". To activate it, first make sure you have System Navigation (gestures) turned on and not Button Navigation.
Then, in the same navigation settings menu, find the toggle for "Hide indicator" or "Show tooltips." By turning off tooltips, you will get a clean screen. Now, to open the navigation menu, you will need to swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen. This action emulates the appearance of virtual buttons that can be used, and then they disappear again.
☑️ Checking navigation settings
The advantage of this approach is maximum immersion in the content. There are no distractions when watching videos or reading books. However, it is worth remembering that accidental swipes can lead to unwanted exit from applications. Sensitivity The bottom edge of the screen in this mode is increased, so hold your smartphone confidently.
It is also worth noting that on some models, such as Honor Magic 4 or Honor 90, the arrangement of elements may differ slightly. If the standard path does not work, try updating your system to the latest version. Developers often change the layout of menu items in new versions Magic UI, making them more logical.
Adjusting sensitivity and gesture area
After you managed to remove the bottom buttons, you may encounter a situation where gestures do not work correctly or work too often. The system settings provide the ability to calibrate the sensitivity of the screen edges. This is especially true for devices with curved screens, where accidental palm touches can be perceived as commands.
Go to the "Accessibility" or "One-finger control" section. Here you can find settings that control the width of the gesture trigger area. Reducing this area will help avoid false returns, but will require more precise finger movements. Optimization This parameter is an individual matter and depends on the size of your hands and the use of your smartphone.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Edge sensitivity | Reaction to touches at the edges | Average |
| Vibration response | Tactile feedback during gesture | Enable |
| Swipe area | Activation zone width | Narrow |
| Indicator | Visual hint | Hide |
Do not forget that the use of protective glass or a thick case may affect the operation of the touch layer in the lower corners of the screen. If gestures no longer respond, try removing the case and checking the system. You may need to recalibrate the sensor through the engineering menu or simply clean the screen from dirt.
Secret setting for advanced users
In the engineering menu (accessed by entering a code in the dialer) you can find the touchscreen calibration parameters, but changing them without experience is not recommended, as this can lead to complete inoperability of the touch layer.
Hide the virtual keyboard on the screen
Often users confuse system navigation buttons with the keyboard that appears when entering text. If your goal is to remove the keyboard when it gets in the way, then different rules apply. The keyboard is part of the active application and disappears automatically when you finish typing or press the back button (which can now be a gesture).
However, if the keyboard is covering (important content) or buttons within the application, you can use the Floating Keyboard feature. In your keyboard settings (usually Gboard or SwiftKey), find the "Preferences" or "Advanced" section. There you can enable the floating window mode, which will allow you to move the keyboard to any part of the screen or reduce its size.
To completely hide the keyboard in games or when watching videos, make sure that the application supports full-screen mode. In the Honor display settings there is a “Full screen mode” item where you can force it to be enabled for specific applications. This will remove all unnecessary interface elements, including the keyboard, if it was clogged in the background.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling the system keyboard is impossible without losing the ability to enter text. If the keyboard does not disappear on its own, check the running background processes, perhaps some application is keeping the input field active.
It is also possible to use voice input, which completely eliminates the need to touch the screen. Click on the microphone in the Google search bar or in the Messages app to activate Voice dialing. This is a modern and fast way to interact with a smartphone, which is gaining popularity among users.
Using third-party launchers for customization
If the standard Honor settings do not satisfy you, third-party launchers come to the rescue. Apps like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Niagara Launcher can completely change your desktop's appearance and navigation methods. Some of them have their own settings for bottom panels and docks, which may overlap system elements.
By installing a third-party launcher, you get access to advanced gesture settings. For example, you can assign a double tap on the screen to turn on the display or a swipe up to open the application menu. This provides flexibility that is not available in stock firmware. Customization interface is one of the main advantages of the Android platform.
When installing a third-party launcher, the system may request permission to use it as the main one. Confirm this action for the new settings to take effect. Please note that some features, such as "Always on Display" or specific Magic UI shell gestures, may not work correctly with third-party software.
Before installing a new launcher, take a screenshot of the location of your icons to quickly restore the familiar desktop structure after changing the interface.
It is worth remembering that third-party launchers consume more battery and RAM resources. If your smartphone Honor has a limited amount of RAM (for example, 3 or 4 GB), use light versions of launchers. Otherwise, there may be delays in the operation of the interface and twitching when scrolling through screens.
Solving problems with disappearing buttons
There are situations when the lower buttons disappear on their own, even if you have not changed the settings. This may be caused by a glitch in the System UI process or a specific application that has entered full screen mode and cannot exit it. To resolve the problem, try restarting your device.
If restarting doesn't help, check to see if Do Not Disturb or Games mode is enabled, which often hide interface elements to minimize distractions. It's also worth checking for system updates. Bugs in the interface are often fixed in security patches that come to Honor devices regularly.
As a last resort, you can reset the interface settings. To do this, go to "Settings" → "System" → "Reset" → "Reset your phone." Important: this step will delete all your data, so make a backup copy first. This is guaranteed to return all system buttons and settings to the factory state.
Why did the buttons disappear after the update?
After updating the firmware, navigation settings may be reset to default. Often an updated system will prompt you to choose a navigation method when you first launch it. If you skipped this step, you may have set the Hide Indicator or Gestures setting, which visually hides the buttons. Check the navigation section in the settings.
Is it possible to make buttons translucent?
You cannot change the transparency of system buttons using standard Android and Magic UI tools. However, there are apps from Google Play that put a translucent layer on top of the interface, simulating buttons. This requires special permissions and can consume battery power.
How to return buttons in a specific application?
If the buttons are missing in only one game or app, find the "Full screen mode" section in the phone settings. There you can uncheck the problematic application, and the system navigation will be displayed on top of it. This often solves interface problems in older applications.
Does removing buttons affect performance?
Disabling the rendering of bottom buttons theoretically frees up a minimal amount of GPU resources, but in practice this impact is not noticeable. The main advantage is visual and ergonomic, not technical. The speed of the smartphone depends on the processor and the amount of free memory.